By Ikenna Asomba

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has commended the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, over what he described as its age-long commitment to the duty of empowering Nigerians youths to becoming useful to themselves and to the country at large.

File Photo: Corps members taking oath of national service

Ambode, who spoke at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, during the Swearing-in Ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members deployed to the state, expressed satisfaction that the NYSC had lived to the fulfillment of one of the objectives and vision of the founding fathers, through the establishment of its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship (SAED) department, which has been replicated in all the scheme’s locations nationwide.

No fewer than 2,300 corps members deployed to the state were sworn in by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo during the ceremony.

Earlier, the Lagos State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe, who congratulated the corps members for completing their academic courses which has qualified them for national service, however, urged them to acquire a skill, as well as take advantage of the numerous loan facilities available for them to become self-reliant.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Director General Service, Ministry of Education, Mr Tinubu Hassan, said, “Over the years, the National Youth Service Corps scheme has remained committed to the duty of training, inculcating discipline in our youths, promoting attitudinal change and empowering corps members to become useful to themselves and the country at large.

“It’s gratifying to know that the scheme, in fulfillment of one of its objectives and vision of the founding fathers, established the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship’ SAED department at the Headquarter, and replicated it in all NYSC locations nationwide.

“It’s on this note, that I challenge you all to strive to surpass the achievement of your predecessors by participating actively in all the activities that have been scheduled for this orientation programme.

“The success of each year is dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise. It’s a platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological development, which no doubt is needed to enable you face the challenges of the service year and beyond,” said Ambode.